Steam billows out of a dainty china cup as Rosemarie Kramer places it in front of a customer. Today’s offering at Miss Rosemarie’s Special Teas embraces a hint of vanilla and a splash of citrus.

Kramer said she sees a change in her customers as they sip.

The worries they walk in with melt away with the warmth of the tea, she said.

“The tradition of boiling the tea is the joy of the anticipation. When you finally get it ready and take a sip, it’s that ‘Aagh’ moment,” Kramer said. “This place provides people with that moment — a chance to relax.”

Kramer will lead a lecture on “The Joy of Taking Tea” on May 7 as part of the Birmingham Museum of Art’s 2009 Art & Conversation series. The lecture is set to begin at 10:30 a.m. and will be followed by tea and scones.

Lectures such as this include discussion on the history of tea, how it’s grown, the difference between green and black tea, and the contributions of countries around the world.

“Scotland brought scones … what we brought to the mix was tea bags and ice tea,” Kramer said. “We’re one of the few countries that drinks more coffee than tea. Water is No.1 in the world, but tea is No. 2.”

Each day Kramer offers a different tea tasting at her salon, introducing customers to new blends and flavors.

Miss Rosemarie’s current bestseller is Parisian Lights, which blends Earl Grey with black currents and caramel.

It just surpassed the Caribbean tea, which is black tea blended with green tea, coconut and strawberry guava.

Kramer said tea can be enjoyed in many ways.

You can sit and sip it alone, enjoy it while catching up with friends or use it to celebrate a big moment in life such as a wedding, she said.

Miss Rosemarie’s will offer a several brunch sittings for both Mother’s Day and Father’s Day.

The Mother’s Day sittings include a brunch at 10:30 a.m. and 1 p.m. May 9 and a brunch at 1 p.m. May 10.

To learn more about Miss Rosemarie’s Special Teas, visit Mrsteas.com.

To make a reservation for Kramer’s lecture call 254-2070 or visit Artsbma.org.